Lego's Powered Up Platform Lets Kids Code Their Own Fun

New build-and-code kits are on the way from the innovative toy maker.

Lego today announced a new suite of elements and apps, called the Powered Up Platform. The aim: to provide new ways for builders to bring all kinds of Lego toys to life.

Last year's Lego Boost build-and-code kit was a favorite with PCMag, earning a rating of 4.5, an Editors' Choice award, and a Best of the Year designation. The new platform utilizes the same power elements and coding language as the Boost. Some kits will have Powered Up elements in the box; others will be compatible with Powered Up features, giving kids the option to add them or not. And of course, new Lego bricks always can snap together with any others you already own.

The initial Powered Up app will be available starting on July 1, so Lego fans can get familiar with it. The first of the Powered Up Platform kits, the Lego Batman App-Controlled Batmobile, ships on Aug. 1 for $159.99. For kids 8 and up, it's a buildable Batmobile that can be controlled by a smart device. Later in 2018, it'll gain light coding and programming capabilities that will let kids customize the controls. The Batmobile kit comes with 321 pieces, two motors, and a battery hub.